UN says 57 ships cross Strait of Hormuz under evacuation plan
IMO reports 57 vessels transit strait since June 23
About 57 ships carrying approximately 1,100 sailors have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since June 23 as part of a United Nations evacuation plan, according to International Maritime Organization (IMO) data released Thursday. The initiative aims to assist hundreds of vessels and about 11,000 sailors in leaving the strait.
IMO data showed 12 ships crossed Thursday morning, 32 on Wednesday, and 13 on June 23. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi said Thursday that future arrangements for the strait do not include transit fees.
Speaking at a joint GCC-U.S. ministerial meeting in Manama, Al-Busaidi stated Oman supports a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran to restore and ensure safe navigation. Al-Busaidi said Oman, as a coastal state, fulfills responsibilities to secure maritime navigation under international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Gulf countries do not support the imposition of any fees on Strait of Hormuz transit. Rubio said Gulf nations expressed serious concerns regarding other issues following a Middle East tour conducted after a preliminary agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
